Haunted is Always in Fashion by
Rose Pressey is the fourth book A Haunted Vintage Mystery series. Cassandra “Cookie” Chanel can see ghosts (a
recently discovered ability). Cookie is
heading to an appointment with Juliana McDaniel and Charlotte Meadows (the
ghost that refuses to cross over) is tagging along (as usual). Along the way, Cookie encounters traffic that
has come to a standstill. Cookie gets
out of the car to see what is going on and is greeted by a young woman in ghost
form. The victim turns out to be Juliana
who was shot while driving her car. Juliana
was going to interview Cookie for a book on vintage fashions. Cookie is the owner of It’s Vintage Y’All in
Sugar Creek, Georgia and an expert on vintage fashions. Juliana cannot cross over until she finds out
who killed her. Cookie now has two
ghosts to keep her company. Cookie with
the help of Charlotte, Juliana, Wind Song (her cat), and Hannah Sweet (Cookie’s
best friend) starts poking into Juliana’s life to see why she was
murdered. Juliana had some vintage items
in her car that seem to be in demand.
What was so special about these vintage fashions? In addition, Cookie
wants to find out the origins of her cat, Wind Song. Wind Song is no ordinary cat. She has special abilities. Heather (the not-so-psychic psychic)
introduces the group to Fatima (a real psychic). Can she provide answers about Wind Song? Life is never dull for Cookie.

Haunted is Always in Fashion is
an easy, breezy novel. It may be the
fourth book in A Haunted Vintage Mystery series, but it can be read alone. Rose Pressey provides the necessary
background information for the readers.
The mystery was uncomplicated and can easily be solved (much to my
disappointment). I give Haunted is Always in Fashion 3 out of 5 stars (it was okay). The same tasks (or scenes) kept being
repeated without any results. The group
would visit Fatima (a psychic) and Cookie never asked the right questions so
they would visit her again (and then again).
The cat, Wind Song can only “talk” through a Ouija Board, but Cookie
refuses to keep one in the shop. She
calls her friend, Hannah Sweet who walks down from her shop each time (this
happens several times during the course of the novel). Then we have the two men who are interested in
Cookie. I am really tired of love
triangles (they seem to be in every book I have read recently). When Cookie sees Dylan Valentine her heart
goes “pitty-pat”. This phrase is over
used in the story. Cookie has a first-hand
witness in Juliana that she does not utilize properly. There are some other issues, but they would
be spoilers. I did find a big
contradiction in the book. Dylan tells
Cookie that Victor (a suspect) has a criminal record. Then when Ken Harrison tells Cookie the same
information, she acts like she never heard about it before (even asks why Dylan
did not share this information with her). There are some lovely descriptions of
Cookie’s vintage fashions (especially some gorgeous hats). We are also subjected to the details of Charlotte’s
numerous wardrobe changes (every single details of her ensemble including nail
polish color). The book also has Cookie’s
Savvy Tips for Vintage Shopping and Charlotte’s Tips for a Fashionable
Afterlife. They next book in the series
is If the Haunting Fits, Wear It (which I will probably read to see if there is
improvement).

I am off to make our dinner and then get ready for Arrow (third night of the four night cross-over event). I am just starting Egg Drop Dead by Laura Childs. I enjoy Laura Childs' other series, so I thought I would give A Cackleberry Club Mystery series a try. Have a delightful evening, take care, and Happy Reading!

The Glow of Death by Jane K. Cleland
is the eleventh book in the Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery. Josie K. Prescott of Prescott’s Antiques and
Auctions receives a call to appraise what the couple hopes is a Tiffany
lamp. Josie quickly gets the permission
forms signed and heads over to the house of Edwin and Ava Towson the Garnet
Cove community of Rocky Point, New Hampshire.
After being greeted by Ava, Josie shoots a video of the lamp. On the base of the lamp it reads “Tiffany
Studios New York 181”. It looks like
this is an authenticate Tiffany lamp in the Wisteria pattern. Upon further evaluation, Josie is positive
the lamp is authenticate. This lamp
could get anywhere over $1 million dollars.
Josie then returns the lamp to Ava and Edwin’s home. A week later Josie is getting ready to enjoy
the Fourth of July with her friends, when Police Chief Ellis Hunter gets a
call. Josie recognizes the address of
the Towson’s. A dead body is found in
the kitchen, and Ellis asks Josie to identify the victim. Unfortunately, Josie does not recognize the woman. The victim turns out to be the real Ava
Towson. Someone pulled a con on Josie,
and she is not going to take this lightly.
She immediately checks their study and sees the Tiffany lamp is still in
place. The real Edwin Towson contacts
Josie to sell the lamp. When Josie tries
to pick it up, someone takes pot shots at her.
The next day Josie checks out the lamp, and she discovers that someone
has switched the real Tiffany for a high-end fake. Josie wants to find out who is responsible
for the con, the switch, and the murder.
Will Josie be able to flush out the killer before they sell the lamp?

The Glow of Death may be the eleventh
book in the series, but it can be read alone.
I have only read a few books in A Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery, and
I had no trouble enjoying this book. I
found the characters to be interesting and relatable. There are some wonderful descriptions of
antiques in the novel (I grew up with two aunts for antique dealers and
surrounded by them at home). The mystery
was complicated and puzzling (that’s a good thing). I do not believe that many people will find
it easy to solve the mystery (I was tickled that I correctly guessed the killer’s
identity). I give The Glow of Death 4 out of
5 stars (I liked it). I did find the
book to be a little long and could have used some trimming. There was a wee bit too much time devoted to
Hank (the Prescott Antiques cat) and his new buddy, Angela. I did not need to know about the cat’s toys,
cuddles, play habits, etc. I like
animals to be included in cozy mysteries, but I really do not need that much
detail. In addition, there are several
flashbacks to Josie’s childhood that have nothing to do with the events of the
book. We also have to suffer through
countless pages of Josie’s thoughts and questions about the case. Just a little tweaking would take The Glow of Death from a good book to a great cozy mystery novel. You can find the other book in A Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery on here.

Monday, November 28, 2016

Welcome back! I hope everyone is having a delightful Cyber Monday (as delightful as a Monday can get)! I am sharing Amy Clipston's latest novel The Cherished Quilt with you today. I have been a fan of her novels for many years. She writes such lovely, heartwarming Christian novels. You can get more information on her books at amyclipston.com. You can also follow her on Facebook and Amazon.

The Cherished Quilt by Amy Clipston
is the third book in the Amish Heirloom series.
Christopher “Chris” Hochstetler is reeling from the loss of his brother,
Gabriel. His father, Wilmer blames Chris
for Gabriel’s death. Chris needs to get
away. He decides to visit his Uncle Hank
in Bird-in-the-Hand, Pennsylvania (in Lancaster County). Chris will be working in his Uncle Hank’s and
his partner, Leroy Fisher’s leatherworking shop. Emily Fisher, Leroy’s youngest daughter, can
tell that something is bothering Chris and that he needs a friend. Emily goes out of her way to be friendly to
Chris and get him to come out of his shell.
Chris lacks confidence after years of criticism from his father. Emily slowly works with Chris and helps him
gain confidence and overcome his grief (and guilt). As Chris’ birthday approaches, Emily wants to
make him something special. After
hearing the story of the quilt, he left behind at home, Emily wants to make him
a replacement. Emily’s mother lets her
have fabric from her Mammi’s (grandmothers) trunk. As Emily and Chris spend more time together,
Emily starts to fall in love with him.
Chris cares for Emily, but there is something that he has not told
her. Will they be able to overcome
Chris’ secret (an obstacle in their path) to have a happy ending or will Emily
be left with a broken heart? Open The Cherished Quilt and step into the world of Emily, Chris, and their families in
Lancaster County.

The Cherished Quilt is a well-written
(as are all of Amy Clipston’s novels) and easy to read. It is the third book in An Amish Heirloom
Novel series, but you can read it alone. I do, though, recommend reading The
Forgotten Recipe and The Courtship Basket.
We do get updates on the characters from the previous novels. It was nice to see how they are faring in
their new lives. I found the characters
are likeable as well as relatable. They
are the type of people you want to have as neighbors. I give The Cherished Quilt 4.5 out of 5 stars
(I liked it). It was good to see how
Chris changed over the course of the novel thanks to friendship, love, and rediscovering
his beliefs. The Cherished Quilt deals
with grief, forgiveness, friendship, love, and so much more. The ending is expected, but it will leave you
with a smile on your face. We are left
with a question unanswered at the end of The Cherished Quilt, and we must wait
until the next novel The Beloved Hope Chest (May 2017) to get the answer. The Cherished Quilt will be available on Tuesday, November 29.

I am off to relax for the evening. May all of you have a lovely, relaxing night. I will see you tomorrow when I review Glow of Death by Jane K. Cleland. Take care and Happy Reading!

Good Morning! I am sharing a very different book with you today. Did you know that Vannetta Chapman writes a dystopian series? I have read her Christian/Amish novels, but I did not discover The Remnant series until the other day.

Overshadowed by Vannetta Chapman
is the prequel to The Remnant series.
Gabe Thompson is at the barber in San Antonio, Texas when he gets the
message. Operation Nightshade has begun,
and he has one hour to get his belongings and get to the base. He quickly leaves heads home to his
apartment. He gathers up his cat, Oliver
and knocks on his neighbors. Lenora Diaz
has watched Oliver for him before and knows the drill. Gabe wants to warn her, but he knows that he
cannot say anything. He can give her a
little hint though. Gabe gets to
Lackland Air Force Base for the briefing.
He has been preparing for this mission for two years. Lenora waits an hour and then checks Gabe’s
apartment. When she sees the provisions,
Gabe has stockpiled, Lenora knows something big is about to happen. Things are about to change.

Overshadowed is not a book that I
would normally read. I have never read a
dystopian novel. The blurb on this book
reminded me of a television show (Revolution) that I enjoyed (and was upset it when it was
canceled). So, I thought I would give
Overshadowed a try (plus it was free on Amazon). I was pulled right in to this story and when
it ended I wanted more. The novel is
well-written and intriguing. Vannetta
Chapman draws the reader into the story with the plot and characters. I give Overshadowed 5 out of 5 stars. I will definitely be reading the rest of The Remnant series. Be forewarned that the
story will make you want to go shopping to stockpile provisions! The other books in The Remnant series are Deep Shadows and Raging Storm.

I will return later with another great review (at least in my humble opinion). I am off to get the Christmas totes out of the attic (I am way behind in my decorating). May all of you have a happy Monday. Take care and Happy Reading!

The First Gift by Ruth Logan Herne is set in Phillipsburg, New York.
Cassandra “Cassie” Carruthers is four years old (at the very beginning
of the novel). Her mother passed away
when she was little and Cassie lives with her father. Cassie’s father, Jed is a drunk and
neglectful (grieving). But the local
community has noticed Cassie’s situation, and they want to help her. The father will now allow what he calls
charity, so they need to get creative. Cassie
turns out to be very clever. The local
pastors take up a collection to pay for Cassie to go to Daystar (a private
school). Cassie is put into Kerry
McHenry’s class. Kerry will be able to
help Cassie and guide her. Join the
citizens of Phillipsburg as they set out to help one special little girl.

The First Gift is a well-written,
engaging, and heartwarming novel. There
are a couple of slow sections that dealt with Kerry’s boyfriend, Ryan (but they
set things up for later in the novel).
The First Gift is a Christian novel with the main theme being that with
God all things are possible. There is
also hope, forgiveness, and much more. I
give The First Gift 4.25 out of 5 stars.
The one problem I had with the book was the multiple POVs (there are
quite a few characters in the novel). It
was confusing at times (and distracting).
I think the novel would have been better if told from one point-of-view
(a narrator would have been perfect). I
need to warn you that towards the end of the novel you will need to have the
tissues (or a hanky) handy.

I hope you enjoyed my review of The First Gift. This is the perfect novel to read during the holiday season with the theme of helping others especially a child. I am off to read The Pattern Artist by Nancy Moser and enjoy dinner before The Librarians and Once Upon a Time come on. May all of you have a pleasant evening. Take care and Happy Reading!

Saturday, November 26, 2016

Welcome! I have some very shocking news!!! I did not finish my book last night (I know it is hard to believe). I started watching Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life and only stopped when the dogs insisted upon being let outside. It was just wonderful. I have not laughed so hard in a very long time. Kirk at Friday night dinner (as well as his awful car and the pig the town bought him) and the Stars Hollow play written by Taylor Dosse (acted out by Sutton Foster and Christian Borle) were hilarious! I think this was the very first time I just sat and watched a program (without reading or knitting). With Advent beginning tomorrow, I thought I would share a Christmas story with you today.

Finding Father Christmas and Engaging Father Christmas are two Christmas novellas by Robin Jones Gunn. In Finding Father Christmas Miranda Carson is
on a journey for answers. Miranda grew
up traveling with her actress mother, Eve Carson. Miranda’s mother passed away without ever
telling her the identity to her father.
Miranda’s best clue is a photograph of a boy with Father Christmas taken
at Carlton Photography Studio on Bexley Lane in Carlton Heath. Miranda heads to England and hopes that she
will find the identity of her father. Miranda
is warmly embraced by the townspeople.
With a little help, Miranda soon finds the identity of her father. But
will Miranda be able to tell them?

In Engaging Father Christmas,
Miranda is heading back to Carlton Heath for Christmas. Miranda is looking forward to spending time
with Ian (Miranda met him at the end of Finding Father Christmas) and the Whitcombe
family. Miranda enjoyed her time with
them the previous year. It was wonderful
having a real family Christmas.
Returning to Carlton Heath feels like coming home. If things turn out right with Ian, it could
be home. But the road to happiness is
full of bumps, curves, and icy patches.
Will Miranda get her happily ever after?

Finding Father Christmas and Engaging Father Christmas are lovely, heartwarming stories. The books are about acceptance, embracing
love, forgiveness, and finding/accepting God in your life. Both stories are nicely written, easy to
read, have a good pace, a beautiful setting (I want to live in Carlton Heath),
and likeable (as well as relatable) characters. These two novellas will put you
in the Christmas spirit. I give Finding Father Christmas and Engaging Father Christmas 4 out of 5 stars. The only negative comment I have is that they
are a little predictable. These
Christmas stories are a nice change of pace and romance lovers will enjoy these
charming novellas. These two books can
be purchased separately or in this combined omnibus edition. The next book in
the series is Kissing Father Christmas. Finding Father Christmas is now a movie on Hallmark Movie and Mysteries Channel.

I really appreciate you visiting. If you like my reviews, please consider joining my blog (top right). Well, I had better go finish my book (I have a schedule to keep). I hope all of you have a lovely evening. Take care and Happy Reading!

Friday, November 25, 2016

Happy Black Friday! I spent the day being lazy and reading The Whole Town's Talking by Fannie Flagg (loving it). I was wondering if any of you have ever noticed the one thing that is in every Hallmark movie (I am not kidding). If you enjoy the Hallmark movies, watch for a kitchen scene in which you will see a big, red canister of Folger's coffee. I bet you will be looking!

Maggie Dove’s Detective Agency by
Susan Breen is the second book in the Maggie Dove series. Maggie Dove is a Sunday school teacher turned
detective in Darby, New York. Maggie is
learning to be a detective by watching Detective Grudge videos with Helen Blake’s
son, Edgar. Helen is the third partner
in the detective agency along with Agnes (the financial backer). One day Racine Stern (from the wealthiest
family in town) comes into the agency and asks Maggie to convince her sister,
Domino (and her rock star husband, Lucifer) to not come home for a visit. Racine will give Maggie $1,000 to complete
the task. Maggie turns down the offer
much to Agnes’ dismay. Domino arrives in
town and Racine is not seen for two weeks.
Maggie goes to check on her, and Racine admits that Domino tried to
killer her. Racine fears for her life as
well as that of her mother, Madame Simone.
Domino wants money (of course) and she refuses to leave until she gets
it. Racine wants Maggie to convince
Domino to leave town (and is willing to pay a large sum of money). Soon Racine starts acting strangely, and
Maggie does not know what Domino has done to her. Then Maggie hears that a big Halloween party
is being thrown at the Stern mansion (the home no one else in town has ever
been allowed in). During the party Domino
calls everyone’s attention to her at the top of the tower. Then the guests see Domino plunging to her
death. Racine was near Domino before she
fell (Domino pulled her up there). Was
it an accident or did Racine push her?
Maggie has her first real case.
She needs to find out what happened to Domino (because the town has
decided that Racine is guilty). Did a
person push Domino to her death or was it something far more sinister?

Maggie Dove’s Detective Agency is
a Christian cozy mystery. The story is
basically about good versus evil. I
found the book to have a slow pace, unoriginal mystery and uninteresting (and
unlikeable) characters. Racine and her
mother are rude (I would not want to help either of them) and Agnes comes
across as bipolar with her mood swings.
Maggie is not a warm main character.
The loss of her daughter has kept her from enjoying life for the last
twenty years. I had a hard time
finishing this story. Maggie Dove’s Detective Agency is a book of normal length, but it felt like it went on
forever (and I just wanted it to end). While
Maggie Dove’s Detective Agency is the second book in the series, it can be read
alone (we are given the needed information from the first novel and on the main
characters). I did find information
repeated in the book especially about Maggie’s deceased daughter, Juliet (who
died twenty years prior), Maggie’s profession as a Sunday school teacher and
her age. I give Maggie Dove’s Detective Agency 2.5 out of 5 stars (just not for me). I think Maggie became a detective
just to play with all the spy toys she finds in catalogs and online (purchasing
with Agnes’ money). The first book in
the series is Maggie Dove: A Mystery.

Thank you so much for visiting. I sincerely hope all of you have a great evening. I will be back tomorrow to review another novel. Take care and Happy Reading!

Duty to the Crown by Aimie K. Runyan is the second book in the Daughters of New France series. We join Manon, Claudine, Emmanuelle and
Gabrielle in New France (Quebec settlement) in June 1677. Manon Lefebvre has been living with the Huron’s
since she left Alexandre and Nicole Lefebvre’s home five years prior. Mother Onatah, sister to the chief, took in
Manon. But then a deadly fever hits the
village and despite Manon’s best efforts, Mother Onatah passes away. The chief of the Big Turtle clan immediately
tells Manon to leave (talk about cruel).
Nicole Lefebvre welcomes Manon and Tawendeh (Mother Onatah’s son) them
into their home. Nicole is thrilled to
have Manon back (she was so upset when Manon left). Manon feels like she does not fit into either
world (French or Huron). Claudine Deschamps,
Nicole’s younger sister, is hoping to make a prestigious match with an eligible
bachelor. Claudine imagines a life of
luxury, but one wrong move can lead her down a very different path. Emmanuelle Deschamps usually can be found
with her nose in a book. She has a kind
personality and Claudine looks down upon her.
Gabrielle Giroux was taken in by Elisabeth and Gilbert Beaumont along
with her brother, Pascal. Since Gabrielle
was born in New France, an edict states she must marry by her sixteenth
birthday or the Beaumont’s will be forced to pay a penalty. Not many men are willing to marry the
daughter of the town drunk (her birth father).
Join these young women in New France as they experience love, friendship,
heartache, and loss.

Duty to the Crown is not a stand-alone
novel. You do need to read Promised to the Crown (first book in series) in order to understand the characters and their various
relationships. Aimie Runyan does a
superb job of capturing time and place (Quebec settlement in New France in the
late 1600s). The novel has great
characters, excellent writing, and is ripe with emotion. You will laugh, cry, sigh and smile as you
work your way through Duty to the Crown.
It was good to see how the characters grow over the course of the
book. We also get to revisit the
characters from the first novel (Nicole, Alexandre, Elisabeth, Gilbert) to see
how they are faring. I give Duty to the Crown 5 out of 5 stars (I enjoyed it very much). I kept reading this page turner until I
finished it (I did not want it to end, but I wanted to see how it ended). I look forward to
reading more novels by Aimie K. Runyan in the future. Promised to the Crown is the first novel in the Daughters of New France series.

Thank you so much for visiting! I am off to relax. I am wore out after the cooking and the cleaning up. There is a new movie on Hallmark tonight called Christmas in Homestead. I will pop some popcorn and enjoy. Take care and Happy Reading!

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Happy Day Before Thanksgiving! When I was growing up, we used to go to a relative's house in Lakeland for Thanksgiving. On the way home the only thing open would be a random gas station or convenience store. Nowadays, I can eat out, go shopping, and take in a movie. How times have changed. Do you think it is a good change or bad change?

A Killer Location by Sarah T. Hobart is the second book in A Home Sweet Home Mystery series. Sam Turner is a new real estate and she is
working under Everett Sweet at Home Sweet Home Realty in Arlinda, California. Everett is giving Sam a chance to do an open
house in Campus Heights, a pricey neighborhood.
The open house is a disaster from the moment she opens. It is one disaster after another. A neighbor stops up the toilet and stink up
the house, a dog tracks dirt on the newly cleaned carpets, and a couple cleans
the house out of valuables when Sam tries to unclog the toilet. The worst part is when she goes to bake
cookies, she finds a finger in the frozen cookie dough. Then the out of control dog returns and dig
up the rest of the body in the front yard.
Sam will definitely not be getting a contract during this open
house. Sam’s boss, Everett Sweet ends up
being the top suspect which puts Sam’s job in jeopardy. Sam returns to the house to search for more
clues and ends up finding another body.
Everett ends up in jail and Sam without a real estate license (because
Everett’s broker license was revoked).
To top it off, Sam’s sister Stacy has moved into the studio apartment on
Sam’s property. Stacy is Bernie Aguilar’s
ex-wife and Bernie is Sam’s current boyfriend.
Just when things were going good between Sam and Bernie. Life is never dull for Sam Turner. Will Sam be able to get Everett out of jail
and get her license back?

A Killer Location is easy to read,
has a simple mystery, and can be read as a stand-alone (first novel rehashed). The type of humor used in the book is not for
me (my mother claims I do not have a sense of humor). The story had one ridiculous (and highly
unbelievable) incident after another that mostly happen to Sam. The mystery could be solved very early in the
book to my disappointment. I could have
overlooked some of the incidents if the book had a good, complex mystery to
solve. The book does contain some foul
language and mild sexual situations. You
should be aware that there are some disgusting food descriptions in the book
(they made me nauseous). I give A Killer Location 3 out of 5 stars (it was okay).
This is just not the right type of series for me. Others, though, will find it enjoyable and
humorous (provide you with a light read). Death of a Fixer Upper is the first book in A Home Sweet Home Mystery series.

I sincerely hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Enjoy the day with your families. I am off to relax and enjoy more of the Gilmore the Merrier on UP! tv. Take care and Happy Reading!

Unraveling the Pieces by Terri DuLong is the third book in the An Ormond Beach Novel series. Petra Garfield and her dog, Lotte are moving
from Jacksonville, Florida to Ormond Beach to be close to her friend, Isabelle
as well as her newfound friends at the Dreamcatcher. Petra will be staying at Koi House (now that
Isabelle has married and moved out). Petra
loves animals and is encouraged to volunteer her time at the local animal
shelter run by Suzanne Palmer. Petra is
volunteering at an adoption event and meets Jonah. Jonah is attracted to two cute little dogs
that need a new home. Jonah’s father
does not appreciate Petra encouraging his son (nor the mention of checking with
his mother). The little boy tugged at
Petra’s heart, and he lingers in her thoughts.
Petra takes her dog, Lotte to the recommended local vet and discovers it
is Jonah’s father, Ben Wellington. It is
just the beginning for Petra, Ben and Jonah.
Petra lost her mother three years prior, but she had never told Petra
about her birth father. The only clue
Petra has is a photo with the name Peter Maxwell written on the back. Petra is intent upon getting answers that her
mother, Rhonda did not provide. Come
back for another trip to Ormond Beach in Unraveling the Pieces.

Unraveling the Pieces is
well-written, contains interesting, well-rounded characters, has a good pace and
a sweet ending. I did, though, feel it
was predictable. I did like how it went
back in time to 1969 to tell the story of Petra’s mother and her birth father. Emmalyn, the spirit who visits the residents
of Koi House in their dreams, is back, but I did not feel she was very
helpful. Her dream “clues” were obscure
and did not add to the story. I give
Unraveling the Pieces 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it even if it was predictable
or expected). While this is the third book in the series, it can be read alone. It was interesting to see
how Petra followed the clues to get answers or unravel the pieces. Unraveling the Pieces is a nice escape and a
good way to spend a Saturday afternoon (curl up in a cozy chair, blanket, and
hot tea during the cold weather). Patterns of Change and Stitches in Time are the first two books in An Ormond Beach Novel series. For more information on Terri DuLong or her books, check out her website.

I sincerely hope all of you have a great evening. I am still sick and looking forward to collapsing back in back. I will be reviewing A Killer Location by Sarah T. Hobart tomorrow, and I hope you will return to see what I thought about this new cozy mystery. Take care and Happy Reading!

Death on Lily Pond Lane by Carrie
Doyle is the second book in A Hamptons Murder Mystery series. Antonia Bingham owns the Windmill Inn in East
Hampton where she is also the head chef.
During the off season, she is the caretaker to two properties (while their
owners are at their primary residences).
Antonia is checking on the Mastersons’ property. Warner Caruthers, a friend of Luke Masterson,
had been staying in the guest quarters, but he was supposed to have departed
the previous day. Antonia searches the
house for Warner and finds him in Eleanor’s bathroom (one of the Mastersons’
daughters). He is dead in the
bathtub. Antonia calls the police and
then quickly hides something from the bathroom.
Antonia’s nosiness and dislike of police officers leads her to
investigate his death. It turns out that
Warner was doing a documentary that portrayed the wealthy town residents in a bad
light (and they do not appreciate Antonia’s sticking her nose into their
business). Can Antonia find the culprit
before the killer finds her?

Death on Lily Pond Lane was a snooze
fest. I found the book to be
boring. The book only has 308 pages, but
it felt twice the length. The mystery
was basic (predictable). I was able to
identify the killer very early in the book (before I was quarter of the way
through the story). This is the second
book in A Hamptons Murder Mystery series, but Death on Lily Pond Lane can be
read alone. The case from the first book (Death on Windmill Way) is mentioned more than once during the course of the novel as well as why
Antonia relocated to East Hampton. Actually, many things are replicated
throughout the book. The reader is
subjected to the details of Antonia’s failed marriage many times (she is
divorced from a cop that abused her and caused the death of her father). I give Death on Lily Pond Lane 2 out of 5
stars. I just felt it was too simple. It was like the author used a cozy mystery
checklist when writing. I also did not
like the main character very much or her flighty best friend. Antonia puts herself down especially about
her appearance and it is off-putting. I wanted
to like Death on Lily Pond Lane, but it was just not the right book for me. Death on Windmill Way is the first book in A Hamptons Murder Mystery series.

May all of you have a lovely, relaxing evening (we all need it before the Thanksgiving bustle starts). I am reading Shades of Wrath by Karen Rose Smith. I will see you tomorrow when I return to review another novel. Take care, stay warm, and Happy Reading!

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Welcome! I hope everyone has had a good Sunday. I woke up this morning with an extremely sore throat and a tightness in my chest. Lucky me (though not unexpected)! It gives me a chance to read more though! A Killer Location by Sarah T. Hobart comes out on Tuesday. It is the latest A Home Sweet Home Mystery novel.

Christmas Angels by Viola Shipman
is set in St. Louis, Missouri. Kate
Roseberry owns Holidays by Kate! She designs and executes holiday designs for
malls, offices, events, etc. Tree toppers are her signature (she always puts
the tree topper on herself). Christmas is usually her favorite time of the
year, but Kate has not been able to get into this spirit of the season this
year. The previous year her boyfriend,
Tyler broke up with her during the holiday season. Kate meets Chad Cooper while decorating the
St. Louis Tower, a new shopping mall.
Chad is purchasing a Halloween costume for his son, Coop (he is seven).
Coop wishes to go as an angel (unusual choice for a little boy). Chad asks Kate if she believes in
angels. Kate can see that Chad is
struggling. Later when Kate is setting
up the conference room for Cooper, Anderson, Schiff and Hines (a law firm)
Christmas party when the firm asks her to decorate Chad’s house for him and his
son. Chad lost his wife, Ella the
previous winter after years of illness (cancer). They are worried about Chad and his son. This could be what they need to help them
heal. Chad’s son, Coop is very serious
(yet sweet) little boy. Coop is taken
with Kate and she with him. The three
start to spend time together. Can they
help each other heal and move forward? Do you believe in angels?

Christmas Angels is a sweet,
though short, story. It is a light
romance novel that will help put you in the mood for Christmas any time of the
year. It is well-written and easy to
read. I like the characters (especially Coop) and the descriptions of the
decorations. I especially liked that
Coop had a Sock Monkey stocking cap (my mother just loves everything Sock
Monkey’s). It was a cute touch for such
a serious little boy. The book contains a good message about angels. I give Christmas Angels 4 out of 5 stars. I did enjoy the story, but I wish it had been
a little longer. It felt rushed at the
end and the ending felt incomplete. The
book includes a preview of Viola Shipman’s next book The Hope Chest (takes up
the last 40%) which comes out March 21, 2017.

I appreciate you visiting! If you enjoy my reviews, please consider joining my blog (at right). I am off to eat dinner and rest (need to knock this cold out of me). The Librarians third season start tonight (such a wonderful show). I will return tomorrow with another delightful book review (in my humble opinion). Take care, stay warm and Happy Reading!

Restless Spirits by Jean Marie Bauhaus
is a paranormal mystery novel. Veronica
“Ron” Wilson is a romance writer and a ghost hunter. Ron went into business with her sister,
Christine (prefers “Chris”). Chris can
see and talk to ghosts. She has had the
ability since she was a child (personally, I wish she was the main
character). Ron gets a call from Chris
that they finally have permission to enter the Baird house. The Baird house has a history of
murder-suicides going back to the 1930s.
It took them months to get permission from the latest heirs to enter the
house (the heirs are fighting over the house—neither one of them want it). Ron rushes over to the Baird house (she
decides to go by herself). Chris is two
hours away on another case and advises Ron to wait for her. Ron, of course, decides to ignore her
advice. Ron enters the house and sets up
her computer along with cameras (and other ghost detecting equipment). Ron asks if anyone is present in the
house. Someone types a message on the
computer. They tell Ron to get out now
while she can. Ron is going to leave,
but then she hears a child crying. Ron
goes up the stairs to investigate. Ron then
wakes up at the bottom of the staircase—dead!
Ron is locked in the house with other spirits (including the Baird
family) and cannot escape. Another ghost
is holding them captive. Ron sets out to
find out who the spirit is and why she is terrorizing people and the other
ghosts. Will Ron ever be free? Will she be able to communicate with her
sister?

Restless Spirits is an interesting
concept. The premise has potential and
could be a good series with a little reworking.
I found the main character, Ron to be pushy and annoying. She is a hard character to like with her “my
way or the highway” approach. I would
have preferred the sister, Chris to be the protagonist. It was different, though, to have a ghost as
the central character. It did offer a different perspective. Restless Spirits had a little too much
romance in it for a paranormal mystery novel.
I give Restless Spirits 3 out of 5 stars (it was okay). The novel has a good pace, nice writing and
some entertaining spirits. The mystery
was intriguing. Be aware, though, that
there is some violence in the book (along with the nasty descriptions). There are some grammar issues and
inconsistencies in the novel that need to be corrected (the editor must have
been asleep on the keyboard). I did, though, read an advanced copy and the errors may have been removed from the final copy (I sincerely hope they were).

Friday, November 18, 2016

It's Friday! One week from today on November 25 Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life episodes start. I happen to love Gilmore Girls, and I am very much looking forward to the new shows. They will only be on Netflix (that's the only downfall).

The Gingerbread Girl by Sheila Newberry starts in November of 1936.
Cora Kelly is seven years old and is getting released from the hospital
after an eight month stay for diphtheria.
The disease hit their East London tenement where the children had not
been vaccinated against diphtheria. The
one thing that Cora has treasured is a gingerbread man Cora received from her
mother (during a secret visit). Cora did
not eat the gingerbread man. She has
kept it as a reminder of her mother. Upon
her release, Eliza Quinn (her mother’s best friend) takes her to Westley Farm
(belong to Eliza’s aunt) for the fresh air and relaxation. Ginny Brookes runs the farm with the help of
her two sons’ Mal and Jimmy. Cora enjoys
spending time with Jimmy (this is just the beginning of their story). When Cora is ready to return home, Eliza
comes to get her. Cora is in for a shock
when she finds out that her mother, Biddy passed away after giving birth to her
sister, Deidre (Dede). Cora’s birth father,
Bertie took off long before and Eliza has no way of locating him. Eliza is going to raise Cora and Dede. Eliza is a housekeeper for Mr. Norton and his
son, Neville (a real pill). Mr. Norton
is a retired baker and the son has taken over the business. Things are going well for this little family
when Bertie returns. He wishes to get to
know his daughter (he is unaware of Dede).
Will Cora give him an opportunity? Join Eliza and Cora in see what life was like
for them during World War II.

The Gingerbread Girl is the story
of Eliza and Cora. We follow Cora and
Eliza as Cora grows up, they experience the war, love, and loss. The Gingerbread Girl reminds me of a children’s
novel (chapter book similar to those by Laura Ingalls Wilder), but there are
adult situations that would not be appropriate for someone under the age of 13
(would depend on the child’s maturity level too). It is an interesting story that I did enjoy
reading, but there are some slow sections.
The novel is simple and easy to read.
I give The Gingerbread Girl 3.5 out of 5 stars. It is a sweet story that is nicely
written. Americans can see a different
take on the war (it started much earlier in England than it did in the United
States).

I am off to watch Gilmore Girls marathon on Up!TV called Gilmore the Merrier. They are showing every single Gilmore Girls episode over the next week. During the commercials I am reading Prose and Cons by Amanda Flower (it is wonderful). I hope all of you have a delightful evening. Take care and Happy Reading!

Death of a Wolfman by Susan Boles
is the first novel in A Lily Gayle Lambert Mystery series. Lily Gayle Lambert lives in Mercy,
Mississippi. Lily Gayle is hired by
LizBeth Mitchell to do her family genealogy.
Lily Gayle is known for sniffing out the obscure and unusual (she is
nosy). That evening (Halloween night),
Lily Gayle is having dinner with her cousin, Ben (the county sheriff), when he
receives a call. He believes it is a
prank so he lets Lily Gayle tag along.
It turns out not to be a prank.
There is a very hairy man dead in a clearing in the woods. The man resembles a werewolf (and he is
missing clothing). Lily Gayle has
another theory behinds the man’s hairy exterior. The autopsy reveals the victim was shot with
a homemade silver bullet. It looks like
someone else thought he was a werewolf.
Who is the poor man and why was he shot?
LizBeth calls Lily Gayle and asks to meet with her at the family gazebo
the next morning. Lily Gayle shows up to
find LizBeth dead (it is gruesome). This
sends Lily Gayle running and screaming (they probably heard her in the next
county). Is there a chance the two
murders are connected? Someone wanted to
keep LizBeth quiet, but Lily Gayle is determined to get those answers.

Death of a Wolfman did not feel
like a first novel in the series. I felt
that the reader was missing information about Lily Gayle and her past. Death of a Wolfman is easy to read and is
nicely written. There is humor that many
readers will enjoy (you will laugh your way through the book at Lily Gayle’s
antics). I did find the mystery too
simple and the killer was obvious. I
knew LizBeth would end up dead as soon as she requested the genealogy project
from Lily Gayle. I found Ben, Lily Gayle’s
cousin, to be extremely overprotective.
I know he was looking out for her, but, personally, I found it offensive
at times. I know it is just a book but
would you want someone telling you where you can and cannot go (restricting
your daily movements). Of course, Lily
Gayle could have exercised more caution (but she is nosy and determined). I give Death of a Wolfman 3.5 out of 5 stars. There is a beautiful description of a dress
Lily Gayle is making in the novel (I could picture it in my mind). Those of you that watch CSI (the Vegas
version) will remember the episode with the wolfman which you will find
referenced in this book. It is a good
first book, and it will be interesting to see what happens in the next novel in
The Lily Gayle Lambert Mystery series. Death of a Wolfman is available on Kindle Unlimited. You can follow Susan Boles on Amazon and Facebook.

I am off to enjoy dinner. I am making homemade pizza for dinner (a favorite with my family). I want to thank you for visiting and hope all of you have a lovely evening. Make sure to take time for yourself before the hectic Thanksgiving preparations begin. Take care and Happy Reading!

Review Policy

If you would like me to read and review your book, please contact me at Doodlesink@hotmail.com. I enjoy mysteries, paranormal, Christian fiction, and contemporary books. My reviews will be honest and are not influenced by receiving a book for free.